In the Labyrinth of Drakes - Marie Brennan

Even those who take no interest in the field of dragon naturalism have heard of Lady Trent's expedition to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia. Her discoveries there are the stuff of romantic legend, catapulting her from scholarly obscurity to worldwide fame. The details of her personal life during that time are hardly less private, having provided fodder for gossips in several countries.

As is so often the case in the career of this illustrious woman, the public story is far from complete. In this, the fourth volume of her memoirs, Lady Trent relates how she acquired her position with the Royal Scirling Army; how foreign saboteurs imperiled both her work and her well-being; and how her determined pursuit of knowledge took her into the deepest reaches of the Labyrinth of Drakes, where the chance action of a dragon set the stage for her greatest achievement yet. 

My thoughts:

This series just has to be read, it is so wonderful. I love the way it's written and the seriousness of it, and not being serious. Like I said you have to read it.

It's a memoir of a famous dragon naturalist. It's a Victorian fantasy setting and there be dragons...

This is then Lady Trent's memoir. And yes sure you could just jump in but don't. The previous books are too good to miss. You have to read them and see her earlier adventures. Her first one. The swamp one. And the last one where she looked at the mighty dragons that swim the oceans. So yes read those, they are too interesting to miss.

In this one she struggles being a woman in a man's world. But she loves her studies and that brings her to Akhia, and desert dragons....and trying to get dragons to mate.

All while there are other things going on in the world. A big war is brewing...slowly.

And we finally get to see a few of those hints talked about in earlier books, I can't say more but I have waited for those and I was happy. *mysterious giggle*

Just read it. I meant to explain it, I can not do it justice. I like the way it's told, I like the world she has created. I like those tidbits about an ancient culture, I am dying to know more about it, but they still need to discover more. The book is scientific in a wonderful way, because well it's all made up. It's delightful to read and and Trent is so not proper in a proper world. I just wanna squeeee.

Oh oh, and I love the drawings!

Conclusion:

A fascinating world, and a great "memoir": 

Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: April 5th 2016 by Titan Books
Memoir by Lady Trent #4
Fantasy
For review

Voyage of the Basilisk - Marie Brennan

Devoted readers of Lady Trent’s earlier memoirs, A Natural History of Dragons and The Tropic of Serpents, may believe themselves already acquainted with the particulars of her historic voyage aboard the Royal Survey Ship Basilisk, but the true story of that illuminating, harrowing, and scandalous journey has never been revealed—until now. Six years after her perilous exploits in Eriga, Isabella embarks on her most ambitious expedition yet: a two-year trip around the world to study all manner of dragons in every place they might be found. From feathered serpents sunning themselves in the ruins of a fallen civilization to the mighty sea serpents of the tropics, these creatures are a source of both endless fascination and frequent peril. Accompanying her is not only her young son, Jake, but a chivalrous foreign archaeologist whose interests converge with Isabella’s in ways both professional and personal.

Science is, of course, the primary objective of the voyage, but Isabella’s life is rarely so simple. She must cope with storms, shipwrecks, intrigue, and warfare, even as she makes a discovery that offers a revolutionary new insight into the ancient history of dragons.

My thoughts:

Like I said before, this series is so delightful!

It's written as a memoir by a famous dragon naturalist. There are also a few drawings (lovely ones by the way.) The whole book just reads perfectly.

Isabella is in society's eyes truly scandalous. I love her. She does her own thing. She loves dragons and she loves studying them. Because what are dragons really? How are the different species connected? Were they tame in the old days when the Draconeans ruled? So many questions she wants the answers for, and hey so many questions I want too. A natural history of dragons, awesome. And even if she is not a historian I love the bits of the Draconeans, the old ruins and legends.

In this book she travels to many places in her world to learn about dragons. the feathered ones, the sea ones, and more. And of course she gets in a bit of trouble because a sea journey is never easy. The book kept me hooked to the end and it was with a sigh I finished it since I wanted more. But alas, not even a blurb for book 4 yet.

Conclusion:

Beautiful artwork, fascinating personalities and a story that pulls you in. I do recommend this great series.

cover

Nice

Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: March 27th 2015 by Titan Books
Memoir by Lady Trent #3
Fantasy
For review

Memoir of Lady Trent 1, 2 - Marie Brennan

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon’s presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one’s life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

My thoughts:

I honestly did not know what to expect from this one. It sounded intriguing but how would it be?

Oh it was lovely, absolutely lovely. Set in a world akin to our own, except they have dragons. But I liked how it could be our world, our countries, and at the same time not. I liked how she was sent to have her season and get a man. I liked how she, Isabella, was fascinated by dragons. She wanted to learn, but she was a woman. A naturalist, no, not a woman's job. And I liked how she wanted a man for his library...good girl ;)

After getting married there is the real adventure. Where she gets to see dragons in the wild, and tell her tale. Because this is a memoir, and yes I could totally believe some woman 200 years ago wrote it. But as we do not have dragons, alas, it was only a fantasy novel.

The closeness to our world never gets to close. Cos that is a pet peeve of mine, why invent but do not go further? Here only the names of people are similar (like oh she is English, he is Russian), and certain other things. But it still is totally her world, her creation, and it was a lovely and fun creation.

I do look forward to reading more of Isabellas's adventures. 

Paperback, 335 pages
Published February 14th 2014 by Titan Books (first published February 5th 2013)
Memoir by Lady Trent #1
Fantasy
Library

Three years after her fateful journeys through the forbidding mountains of Vystrana, in which she lost her husband, the widowed Mrs. Camherst defies family and convention to embark on an expedition to the savage, war-torn continent of Eriga, home of such exotic draconian species as the grass-dwelling snakes of the savannah, arboreal tree snakes, and, most elusive of all, the legendary swamp-wyrms of the tropics.

The expedition is not an easy one. Accompanied by both an old associate and a runaway heiress, Isabella must brave oppressive heat, merciless fevers, palace intrigues, gossip, and other hazards in order to satisfy her boundless fascination with all things draconian, even if it means venturing deep into the forbidden jungle known as the Green Hell – where her courage, resourcefulness, and scientific curiosity will be tested as never before. 

My thoughs:

Just as good as book 1 if not better :)

3 years has gone by since book 1. Isabella still wants to study dragons. She is dealing with the aftermath from book 1; the loss of Jacob, and the birth of her son. But that is not what this book is about.

Nope, Isabella goes on another adventure with Wilkins and a runaway heiress. There will be dragons, studies and scandals brewing.

I so like Isabella, she loves her dragons and I like discovering things about, well this world's dragons, and I like how the book is written and I can't wait to read book 3 :) 

I am recommending this series.

Paperback, 345 pages
Published June 20th 2014 by Titan Books
Memoir by Lady Trent #2
Fantasy
Library